Program Overview

DrPH in Global Health Leadership

Introduction

The DrPH in Global Health Leadership is a unique and exciting doctoral program that prepares students to be knowledgeable and innovative leaders capable of effectively addressing the world's most challenging and complex public health problems.

Program Overview

The three-year, cohort-based distance program is designed for a wide variety of professionals working full-time in field-based settings around the world. Classes are delivered in real-time via internet video, and students meet face-to-face for a few days three times per year in years one and two of the program. Most in-person sessions take place in Indianapolis, Indiana, with other sessions held elsewhere in the U.S. or around the world.

Target Audience

The target audience is mid- to senior-level professionals anywhere in the world working full-time in organizations where they have the ability to influence the health of populations. The program seeks scholars from a wide range of backgrounds, including nonprofit and for-profit healthcare settings, NGOs, nonprofit organizations, pharma, government agencies, ministries of health, foundations, and non-traditional settings.

Admission Criteria

Successful applicants will, at minimum, have strong academic records, a master's degree (not necessarily in public health), and leadership experience in positions with substantial management responsibility in varied public health settings. The program seeks individuals who aspire to practice-oriented careers and leadership roles in organizations where they can have maximum influence on the public's health.

Curriculum

To complete this degree, students will take a combination of leadership courses, public health courses, and research courses that together total 45 credits.

Revised Curriculum (Effective Fall 2025)

• Leadership courses: 21 credits
  • PBHL-A 755 Organizational Leadership Theory and Practice (3 credits)
  • PBHL-A 756 Leadership in Global Health Law and Ethics (3 credits)
  • PBHL-A 759 Leadership in Global Health Systems (3 credits)
  • PBHL-A 764 Global Health Diplomacy (3 credits)
  • PBHL-A 765 Financing Global Health (3 credits)
  • PBHL-A 767 Executive Communication for Global Health Leaders (3 credits)
  • PBHL-A 772 Systems and Design Thinking in Global Health (3 credits)
• Public health courses: 6 credits
  • PBHL-A 760 Essentials of Practice-based Research (3 credits)
  • PBHL-A 768 Global Health Policy and Advocacy (3 credits)
• Research courses: 18 credits
  • PBHL-A 766 Fundamentals of Research Analysis (3 credits)
  • PBHL-A 777 Doctoral Project Planning and Preparation (3 credits)
  • PBHL-A 771 Program Evaluation for Global Health Leaders (3 credits)
  • PBHL-A 805 Doctoral Dissertation or Field Project (3 credits)
  • PBHL-A 805 Doctoral Dissertation or Field Project (3 credits)
  • PBHL-A 805 Doctoral Dissertation or Field Project (3 credits)

Curriculum for Students Who Started Spring 2025 or Earlier

• Leadership courses: 15 credits
  • PBHL-A 755 Organizational Leadership Theory and Practice (2 credits)
  • PBHL-A 756 Leadership in Global Health Law and Ethics (2 credits)
  • PBHL-A 759 Leadership in Global Health Systems (2 credits)
  • PBHL-A 762 The Science of Global Health Implementation (2 credits)
  • PBHL-A 765 Financing Global Health (3 credits)
  • PBHL-A 767 Executive Communication for Global Health Leaders (2 credits)
  • PBHL-A 770 Leadership for Global Marketing, Public Relations and Fundraising (2 credits)
• Public health courses: 7 credits
  • PBHL-A 757 A Population Perspective for Global Health (1 credit)
  • PBHL-A 760 Essentials of Practice-based Research (2 credits)
  • PBHL-A 763 Leadership Challenges in Global Health Informatics (2 credits)
  • PBHL-A 768 Global Health Policy Analysis and Advocacy (2 credits)
• Research courses: 23 credits
  • PBHL-A 758 Initiating the Research Process (1 credit)
  • PBHL-A 761 Literature Review & Appraisal (2 credits)
  • PBHL-A 777 Dissertation or Field Project Preparation and Planning I (2 credits)
  • PBHL-A 766 Fundamentals of Research Analysis (3 credits)
  • PBHL-A 769 Strategic Theory and Practice in Global Health Leadership (2 credits)
  • PBHL-A 771 Program Evaluation for Global Health Leaders (2 credits)
  • PBHL-A 778 Dissertation or Field Project Preparation and Planning II (1 credit) (enroll two times)
  • PBHL-A 805 Doctoral Dissertation or Field Project (3 credits)
  • PBHL-A 805 Doctoral Dissertation or Field Project (3 credits)
  • PBHL-A 805 Doctoral Dissertation or Field Project (3 credits)

Tuition Rates

• $765 per credit hour (Indiana residents)
• $1,500 per credit hour (out-of-state residents)
• Other fees apply; use the tuition calculator to estimate total costs.

Competencies

The doctoral program in global health leadership competencies is aligned with the CEPH foundational competencies. Program graduates are expected to apply a global perspective to their mastery of all program competencies.

Alumni Career Profiles

The program features alumni career profiles to help prospective students understand the possibilities a doctoral degree in Public Health offers. Browse the alumni career profiles to see what graduates are up to.

Program Advantages

The Fairbanks School of Public Health program offers unique advantages, including:

• Global curriculum: All courses are internationalized, and competencies gained are applicable whether individuals live and work in Indiana, the U.S., or anywhere in the world.
• Global faculty: In addition to U.S.-based faculty, program faculty include international experts based in other parts of the world.
• Global network: The program leverages relationships with other schools and programs, with opportunities to collaborate with faculty and scholars around the world.